Health Briefs: Jan. 2

Published: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 7:40 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 7:40 a.m.

Upcoming events at Park Ridge Health

Park Ridge Health has scheduled the following events:

u 5:15 p.m. Thursdays and 2 p.m. Sundays: Frostbite Race Training Group meets this week-Feb. 10. Register for both the training and the race at www. prhfrostbite.com. Cost: $10, with proceeds benefiting Park Ridge Health Foundation. The race takes place at 2 p.m. Feb. 17, and runners will begin and end at the Lelia Patterson Center.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese wellness system to increase energy, reduce stress and enhance overall health.

Newcomers are welcome and are urged to attend a one-time Qigong orientation at 4:15 p.m. on the first visit. An optional $4 donation is suggested, and proceeds go to local charities.

Qigong consists of a series of slow and gentle movements. No impact, no sweating, fun and easy. Among its many health benefits are lowering of blood pressure, improved circulation, better balance, flexibility, deeper breathing, sounder sleep, improved concentration, quieting of the mind and lifting of the spirit.

As with all exercise programs, obtain your doctor's approval before beginning Qigong. Call 828-393-0805 for more information.

Ryan C. Freeman, CRNA, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Georgia in Athens and an Associates of Applied Science, Registered Nurse, from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va.

He received a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

Before joining Asheville Anesthesia Associates, Freeman was employed by Total Anesthesia in Richmond.

Gene Warpula, CRNA, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Winston-Salem State University. He received a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and graduated from the Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who are certified to administer anesthesia after completing anesthesia graduate school programs and a rigorous national exam.

Call 828-274-3477 or visit www.ashevilleanesthesia.com for more information.

Pardee limits visitors because of flu

Pardee Hospital has enforced the Visitor Restriction Policy, which limits hospital patients' visitation to immediate family only and no one younger than 18 years of age because of a surge in influenza cases.

"The health of our patients and the community are the highest concern of Pardee Hospital. Our policies and actions are designed to protect those at greatest risk during the flu season," said Dr. Robert T. Kiskaddon, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Pardee.

This policy was put into action based on new information released from the Centers of Disease Control.

The CDC can't predict how severe the upcoming flu season will be.

However, the agency recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against influenza each year.

More than 112 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine already have been distributed by vaccine manufacturers in the United States this season, and more is expected.

Call 866-790-9355 or visit www.pardeehospital.org for more information.

Bob Bednarek joins Angel Medical Center board

Bob Bednarek has been appointed to the board of directors for Angel Medical Center in Franklin. Bednarek has more than 35 years of hospital administration experience and is the president/CEO of Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard.

Before joining Transylvania Regional as CEO in 1997, Bednarek was vice president of operations at Port Huron Hospital in Michigan. He has also served as vice president at Catholic Health Corp. in Nebraska and vice president at St. Benedict's Health System in Utah.

"Bob's commitment to community-based health care is well known in our region. He will be a great supporter of Angel's mission of dedicated professionals providing compassionate and superior health care to all," said Jim Bross, CEO of Angel Medical Center. "We are fortunate and truly excited to have Bob become part of our board."

Bednarek holds a master's degree in health care administration from the University of Minnesota. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the advisory board for the federal Office of Rural Health. Bednarek serves as chairman of the Transylvania Partnership for Economic Development and has served previously on the boards of the North Carolina Hospital Association, the Brevard Transylvania Chamber of Commerce, the Transylvania Economic Development Advisory Board and the Transylvania County United Way.

<p>Upcoming events at Park Ridge Health</p><p>Park Ridge Health has scheduled the following events:</p><p>u 5:15 p.m. Thursdays and 2 p.m. Sundays: Frostbite Race Training Group meets this week-Feb. 10. Register for both the training and the race at www. prhfrostbite.com. Cost: $10, with proceeds benefiting Park Ridge Health Foundation. The race takes place at 2 p.m. Feb. 17, and runners will begin and end at the Lelia Patterson Center.</p><p>u 8-11 a.m. Thursday: Free cholesterol screening at Grace Lutheran Church, 6th Ave. West, Hendersonville. Lipid and glucose profiles are done by finger sticking, along with blood pressure and body mass index screening. For best results, fast overnight. The screening is free.</p><p>Qigong classes at First Congregational</p><p>Qigong (chi kung) lessons continue at 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the First Congregational Church Fellowship, 1725 5th Ave. W., Hendersonville.</p><p>Qigong is an ancient Chinese wellness system to increase energy, reduce stress and enhance overall health.</p><p>Newcomers are welcome and are urged to attend a one-time Qigong orientation at 4:15 p.m. on the first visit. An optional $4 donation is suggested, and proceeds go to local charities. </p><p>Qigong consists of a series of slow and gentle movements. No impact, no sweating, fun and easy. Among its many health benefits are lowering of blood pressure, improved circulation, better balance, flexibility, deeper breathing, sounder sleep, improved concentration, quieting of the mind and lifting of the spirit.</p><p>As with all exercise programs, obtain your doctor's approval before beginning Qigong. Call 828-393-0805 for more information.</p><p>ASHEVILLE</p><p>Nurse anesthetists join practice</p><p>Two certified registered nurse anesthetists have joined Asheville Anesthesia Associates, P.A., at 76 Peachtree Road, Asheville.</p><p>Ryan C. Freeman, CRNA, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Georgia in Athens and an Associates of Applied Science, Registered Nurse, from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Va. </p><p>He received a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. </p><p>Before joining Asheville Anesthesia Associates, Freeman was employed by Total Anesthesia in Richmond.</p><p>Gene Warpula, CRNA, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Winston-Salem State University. He received a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and graduated from the Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia. </p><p>Before joining Asheville Anesthesia Associates, Warpula was employed by Wake Medical Center in Cary.</p><p>Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who are certified to administer anesthesia after completing anesthesia graduate school programs and a rigorous national exam.</p><p>Call 828-274-3477 or visit www.ashevilleanesthesia.com for more information.</p><p>Pardee limits visitors because of flu</p><p>Pardee Hospital has enforced the Visitor Restriction Policy, which limits hospital patients' visitation to immediate family only and no one younger than 18 years of age because of a surge in influenza cases.</p><p>"The health of our patients and the community are the highest concern of Pardee Hospital. Our policies and actions are designed to protect those at greatest risk during the flu season," said Dr. Robert T. Kiskaddon, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Pardee.</p><p>This policy was put into action based on new information released from the Centers of Disease Control.</p><p>The CDC can't predict how severe the upcoming flu season will be. </p><p>However, the agency recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against influenza each year. </p><p>More than 112 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine already have been distributed by vaccine manufacturers in the United States this season, and more is expected.</p><p>Call 866-790-9355 or visit www.pardeehospital.org for more information.</p><p>Bob Bednarek joins Angel Medical Center board </p><p>Bob Bednarek has been appointed to the board of directors for Angel Medical Center in Franklin. Bednarek has more than 35 years of hospital administration experience and is the president/CEO of Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard.</p><p>Before joining Transylvania Regional as CEO in 1997, Bednarek was vice president of operations at Port Huron Hospital in Michigan. He has also served as vice president at Catholic Health Corp. in Nebraska and vice president at St. Benedict's Health System in Utah.</p><p>"Bob's commitment to community-based health care is well known in our region. He will be a great supporter of Angel's mission of dedicated professionals providing compassionate and superior health care to all," said Jim Bross, CEO of Angel Medical Center. "We are fortunate and truly excited to have Bob become part of our board."</p><p>Bednarek holds a master's degree in health care administration from the University of Minnesota. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the advisory board for the federal Office of Rural Health. Bednarek serves as chairman of the Transylvania Partnership for Economic Development and has served previously on the boards of the North Carolina Hospital Association, the Brevard Transylvania Chamber of Commerce, the Transylvania Economic Development Advisory Board and the Transylvania County United Way.</p>